Tail-light for automobiles.



J. J. LINDSEY.

TAIL LIGHT FOR AUTGMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4,1914.

l m fi fis Patented Feb. 23, 1915.-

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JAMES 3'. LINDSEY, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

TAIL-LIGHT." FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915} Application filed February 4,,1914- Serial'ito. 816,621.

Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Imrovements in Tail-Lights for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification. The invention provides a lamp for automobiles which combines a lantern and number plate holder, the parts being so related that the lamp will show a red light while the'numberswill be illuminated by a white light.

The invention consists of a lantern adapted to receive a. lamp, such lantern being provided with showing a colored light,'and a number plate holder forming a part of the lantern and inclined to the vertical at such an angle as to receive the rays of light from the lamp and to clearly disclose the numbers to admit of their ready reading.

The invention also further consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated and claimed.

In the drawing hereto attached: Figure 1 is a front view of a lamp embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line mm of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the rear portion of the lantern showing the means for attaching the same to the automobile or other vehicle as well, as illustrating the manner of attaching the lamp.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by the same reference characters.

The lantern consists of an oblong casing which is closed at its front, back, top and the bottom being open. The parts of the lantern consist of the front 1, back 2, top 3 and ends or sides l. These parts are preferably formed of sheet metal in any economical and substantial way. An opening is formed in the \front of the lantern at lantern being a central point and a lens or bulls-eye '5 is.

fitted in such opening. Inasmuch as the lamp is -vehicles the lens .5 is 'red to expose ared.

light from the rear. The bottom of the open and the rays of light thrown from the' lamp upon the number a lens or bulls-eye for particularly designed for motor now consider to thereof. I desire to plate are white. An electric lamp 6 is located within the lantern opposite the lens 5 and is secured in a socket 7 fitted in a collar 8 secured .to orformin a part of the back 2 of the lantern, said col ar 8 serving as means for attaching the lamp to the vehicle. The

- top of the lantern slopes in opposite directions from a middle point and this is of advantage since the underside of the top may be highly polished to form a reflecting surface for throwing the rays of light upon the number plate to insure illumination thereof.

A plate 9 constitutes 'a holder for the number plate and is inclined to the vertical at such an angle as to properly expose the numbers to admit of the same being easily read from the rear. The plate 9 is carried by the lower edge of the back 2 of the lantern, and is shown as forming an integral part thereof. A slot 10 is provided at the upper edge of the plate 9 to admit of the number plate being slipped into position or removed thereby making provision for changing the numbers as may be required to meet varying conditions. The lower edge of the plate 9 is recurved as indicated at 11 to form a supporting ledge for the number plate. A plurality of guides 12 are located at intervals in the length of the plate 9 to receive and retain the number plate in position.

The number plate comprises a plurality of sections 13 each bearing a number or other matter to be displayed. These sections 13 are insertible and removable through the slot 10 and when in position upon the plate or holder 9 are retained in place by means of the guides 12 and the lower ledge 11. When it is required to change the number, as when passing from one section of the country to another, the sections may be removed through the slot 10 and other sections bearing proper numbers or data in position.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I bethe best embodiment have it understood that the device .shown is merely illustrative, and

placed thzrt such changes may be made when desired, are within the scope of the invention as alarmed.

Having thus described the-invention. whet is cleimedas new, is z'-- v v r A vehlole llght eomprlsmg a cesl-ng 131-.

eluding a front wall, a back wall, a top wall and side walls, a holder consisting of a plate provided with a slot at its upper edge and. carried by the lower edge of the back well of the casing andinclinin forwardly and downwardly therefrom, sai holder being provided with gmdes exten' Ling from its upper to its lower edge and having ia sup port at its lower edge and. evgaumloer' fglete veoinprlsmg a plurehty of sectlons whleh are position Witnesses:

, LAKE. RQBERSON, M F SHELBY 

